Fasting

Fasting in the Bible is a spiritual discipline characterized by the voluntary abstention from food or certain types of food for a specific period, often accompanied by prayer and seeking a closer relationship with God. The primary purpose of fasting is to humble oneself before God, express repentance, seek divine guidance, or intercede for others. The practice can be seen in both the Old and New Testaments, with notable examples including Moses fasting for forty days on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28) and Jesus fasting for forty days in the wilderness prior to His ministry (Matthew 4:2).In the Old Testament, fasting is often associated with mourning and seeking God's favor during times of crisis (Joel 2:12-13), while in the New Testament, it is presented as a means of spiritual preparation and self-denial. Jesus taught that fasting should not be performed for public display but rather as a private act of devotion (Matthew 6:16-18). Overall, fasting in the biblical context emphasizes a heart posture of humility, dependence on God, and a desire for spiritual growth.

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